HARRISBURG – April 28, 2017 – Senator Haywood has released the below statement on the recent concerns expressed regarding the establishment of a medical marijuana dispensary within the district. The Philadelphia Tribune has background on the topic here:

Though I had to be in Harrisburg and could not attend, I have been made aware of the concerns voiced at Councilwoman Cherelle Parker’s town hall with regards to the proposed medical marijuana dispensary at 8219 Stenton Avenue. I would like to address those concerns.

I am in full support of the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes. I have heard from many parents of sick children, cancer patients and other individuals whose illnesses are made easier to bear thanks to medical marijuana. These testimonies, coupled with the potential for job opportunities, make it clear to me that legalization of medical marijuana was a compassionate and correct step for the state of Pennsylvania.

I have not and will not be involved in any zoning decisions for locations of dispensaries.

I am always open to hearing from you on this topic, or any other. In addition, I will be holding a town hall in the 50th Ward in May to specifically address this issue.